City Land Leicester Wonderkid in £12.5m Agreement
Manchester City have secured an agreement with Leicester City for teenage winger Jeremy Monga, in a deal that could reach £12.5 million. The 16-year-old arrives with a price tag that, if all add-ons are triggered, would make him the most expensive player of his age in Premier League history.
The package is worth up to £12.5 million, with a guaranteed £10 million up front and a further £2.5 million in performance-related bonuses. A sell-on clause has also been included.
Arsenal had been in advanced talks with Leicester but baulked at the asking price and pulled out. City manager Enzo Maresca, who worked with Monga during his time at the King Power Stadium, moved quickly to exploit the collapse and sell the youngster on the club's long-term plans.
Monga's rise through the professional ranks has marked him out as one of the most exciting attacking prospects in English football. He will initially join the youth setup to continue his development.
The size of the fee signals something broader than a single signing. City's hierarchy are clearly willing to invest heavily in teenage talent before market values climb further. Snatching a player Arsenal had pursued for weeks underlines that the club's long-term recruitment machine remains in working order.